Monday, May 19, 2008

Still Fighting

Just wanted to clarify and update something. I have been asked recently by several people if I am dropping out with regards to the Darrell Gilyard scandal, the answer is a most definite no. I have been side tracked with a busy household these last few weeks adjusting to having a new addition and caring for my 5 other children. However, I will see this through to the very end and am still very concerned about all of the potential victims still out there.

The very fact that he is already involved with another speaking position at another church is the very reason I originally titled this blog "Let's stop Pastor Darrell Gilyard together". I had already seen from past experience with him, how easily he moves from church to church even though he is caught in horrible acts. We need to make sure that we do not fall asleep to the wicked ways of man and stay alert to the things God would call us to do to prevent the plans of the devil to take hold, especially in our churches. When something is going on in our church that is not of God and does not line up with scripture, and we sit back and just allow it to take hold, we are becoming in a sense luke warm and bear some responsibility.

So, this is far from over. We are in the waiting stages before the trial. Not much is happening to speak of, but we need to still pray over the case and over any young women that would come into his path while he is free right now as well.

Anon 4:06 I'm not sure if you're being deliberately dishonest (but I think you are) his name was Darrell Gilyard as far back as 1991and before according to the Dallas Morning News. Glad you're having fun with this we'll see how fun it continues to be. If this is Darrell, the time has come that you will want to change your name in truth.

Anon 3:14PM you're right I apologize. He certainly took a long time to change it. I didn't know a preacher could use a name so freely without it being legally their own. Wow, one of his many other deceits. I remember when I joined Shiloh in 1996 I received a card welcoming me into membership and the name above his printed name was signed simply "Darrell". Again I apologize I didn't know a person could sign a made-up name that wasn't their own. Maybe celebrities, but a pastor of a church? Wow! Thanks for bringing this to the fore I'm sure many others had no clue even Tiffany.

I suggest CBS-47 and State Attorney's Office do an in-depth study on this guy. Both I and his marriage license says he's from New York, and you guys, the newspaper and TV says Palatka! Does anyone remember the term Carpetbagger in Junior High Economics? Darrol Louis Gillard is a modern-day Carpetbagger who joined the Southern Scalawags and been the Pimp of the Year for 20 years in a row!

Also, in closing, I'd like to inform any current past churches, concubines, and/or wives who have entered contracts or settlements with Darrol Gillard prior to 10/28/98 file motions with the Courts for Fraud!

I don't understand something. How could he sign his marriage license Darrell Lewis Gilyard recorded on 12/16/97 using a drivers' license as identification if he didn't change his name until 1998. How did he get a drivers' license with Darrell Lewis Gilyard on it. Can anyone explain this? Hasn't he also defrauded the courts by signing his name on a marriage license as such a year before his name change? All very confusing.

Children of God, don't be naive all your lives. Or don't play some of us adults for fools! Everyone knows you can purchase ANYTHING you want in America. Money for purchasing it is always the issue, not the product! That goes for friends, drugs, identification, respect, love, and lust! Darrol Gillard is not the first person in America to use an alias, change his name, nor deceive the masses. As the saying goes: It is what it is! Please, stop covering for your pedofile hero! That's not applicable to everyone, but how dare some of you to still be in doubt after 20 years of consistent Pimping! God can have his soul, but that rump belongs to the Department of Corrections! Speaking of name changes, what will the boys at Lake Butler Prison change his name to: Darryl Hannah? LOL!

How bold it is to take a fake drivers' license and present it in the courthouse though. We're not talking about the average Joe Blow on the street who of course could, may do something like this... this man was running a church! You can't tell me that you would naturally suspect the pastor of the church you are attending to be a con artist. This is how he has gotten over on so many unsuspecting people their guard is down because they didn't know they needed to have it up with someone in his position. Since this has happened I have learned so much. I have pretty much always been wary of people in general (all of us have had experiences that have made us this way to some degree) now I add the real-looking christians in church and ministers. My trust is in God alone and in Him only I remain secure.

Tiffany I hope you and your family are doing well esp. little Ella. I know from experience that things will be hectic in your househould for a bit longer (well I was breastfeeding so it seemed to stay hectic for an entire year! I declare :}) Oh my, I wouldn't take anything for my two but parenting isn't for cowards and having a new baby is challenging for everyone in the house. You have a lot of people to help in the house so it may be different for you, hope so. Wishing you and your family always the best.

I know it may take a while for you to answer back but I wanted to ask if you ever knew about this Darrol Louis Gillard name?

There is at least 15 Northside Pastors residing in Queens Harbour.For example, I believe Pastor Jeanette C. Holmes-Vann from Hope Chapel Christian Assembly has a couple of homes in there. She started out in a 2-car garage in Sherwood Forest, and has now amassed over 15 million in debt-free real estate! God has truly blessed her, there's no denying that! But I suspect she might have blessed herself somewhere along the way! If there aren't programs and services to benefit God's people, matching the personal spending, then it is what it is! Darrol Louis Gillard is a self-made millionaire. How he got there, is a miracle in itself!

With all due respect, all I can see of this blog is an attempt to make a name (Tiffany) on the downfall of someone else. Why is it necessary for you (Tiffany) to go to such lengths if your story is true? If you rebuffed his advances, why do you find it necessary to continue in this "fight" for "other victims" when you yourself were not a victim. If all he did was call you and it ended with a phone call - the matter is closed. It seems like to me that you (or whoever is supporting you) have established a vendatta against him. He's lost his church, probably will lose his family, his good name, etc. Get over it. Move on. I have trouble believing your story based upon your appearance in the first place and your "get in front of the camera at all costs" attitude. You belong on Flavor of Love 3 - you're a non-story.

I have no doubt DG is a millionaire, but how he got there is no miracle! He did it on the backs of his congregation and his manipulative ways. Do you know that on top of the $300,000 slary he recieved, we were also paying for the cars, his custom suits, his wife's St John suits(minimum of $2000 a pop), vacations and some other personal things that you wouldn't believe!And let's not forget that house in Queens Harbor that is paid for thru his unscrupulous dealings when he ALONE did the financing for the new church. he ought to be a millionaire! He hasn't paid for anything!

I have refrained from commenting with regard to this entire situation for many months. I actually pushed it out of my mind after this monumental shock. However, There are now a couple of points I would like to make. First, my husband and I were welcomed into Shiloh with open arms. We decided after watching the Met's television program that we wanted to attend. Walking into a overwhelmingly black congregation was extremely daunting to a white, female Mississippi transplant. However, I was simply awestruck by the love and friendship shown to us while we attended Shiloh. We met many faithful friends that I love tothis day. Secondly, I must admit I was so completely enthralled with Pastor Gilyard and his seemingly incredible ability to take my small little amount of faith I had and truly help me see THE WORD and understand IT through his teachings. NEVER had I been so touched and moved than when I listened to his sermons. Tape after tape I purchased; his preaching was both a rock and a staff - they comforted me. Lastly, there simply are no words to describe how I felt to learn of this tragedy. My faith was shattered; I will never forget the simple aching that my heart felt. I felt sick to my stomach, I felt so betrayed. By the time these terrible events had transpired I had moved back to Mississippi but would still listen to the webcast every Sunday. It felt so personal to me. Intellectually I knew that we all fall short of the glory, but I think I just pushed him up so high on the pedestal that I refused to beleive this had, in fact, transpired. I continue to feel empty, so sad, so alone. I wonder sometimes, "If a man given a gift so wonderful as the gift of preaching HIS word could fall, is there hope for the weaker ones such as myself. I don't know what the world is coming to anymore. I just don't know......

Dear Anon May 28,12:34 am.The Bible states that "all have sinned and fall short of God's Glory"[Rom.3:23].This is why Jesus Christ came to save us from are sins[Matt.1:21;luke 19:10].The standard for a person to be saved is absolute perfection and since no human can possibly attain this,God became a Man and paid the debt"WE"owned.Therefore our salvation could be given to us as a FREE GIFT at the expense of Christ[2Cor.5:21].And this is what we as true believers can rejoice over.But Anon this very same Bible warns reapeatly that there would be false shepherd who would dress like sheep(shepherds),but they would be ravening wolves.Ravenous is translated from a greek word that means vicious but also can mean to extort or swindle[Matt 7:15].And this is who Darrell is, and swindle is what Darrell has done.I understand your hurt because I was a former Shilite who really believed in him,and when I discovered the depth of his deception I was devastated.But the just as the Apostle Paul stated "God will not allow you to be tempted(or tested)beyond what your are able to endure,but with the testing will provide a way of escape for you that you can endure it"[1Cor.10:13].Dear Anon due to this trial God moved me in the direction He wanted me to go,and that was to be a servant for Him in the pastorate.So keep your eyes on the prize which is Jesus[Heb.12:1-3].Also remember that there are many,many wolves like Darrel out there who are looking for sheep to fleece[2Pet.2:1-3,Jude 3-4].But God would be negilgent if He did not have His true pastors there to help and lead His sheep[1Tim.3:1-7].So you and I as true believers are always be vigilant so as too discern who the true leaders are and who are not.

To Anon, 5-27, 6:33 p.m. - You're just like the kind of person Dee Ann Miller speaks of who has "DIM" thinking: You are in DENIAL of the severity of the crimes DG has allegedly committed, you are IGNORANT of the facts...all in an attempt to MINIMIZE what DG has done.

Thank God Tiffany spoke out. She didn't have to. And I, for one, am very thankful she did. Clergy sexual abuse is a serious issue that needs to be faced by Christians and the church today. Not easy, but we need to face it and deal with it.

With all due respect to you, you need to stop pointing fingers, and look at the real issues in this case. What are you doing to help the victims? What are you doing to make sure DG never steps foot in a pulpit again? If your answer is "nothing" then perhaps you need to point the finger at yourself because the Bible tells you to help the helpless (Luke 10:29-37) and get accused leaders out of positions of leadership and authority (I Tim 5:19-21).

If you can't do what the Bible requires of you, then you need to read Pastor Rod's excellent explanation of salvation above. I'm inclined to believe you may be one of those "false teachers" that Pastor Rod is talking about. And if you are, then you really don't want to experience all that God has for false teachers who lead others astray (Luke 17:1-3).

Thank you, Pastor Rod, for keeping the focus where it needs to be.

A friend of mine recently said, "Clergy sexual abuse victims are the perpetrators worst nightmare" because we know the truth.

Sharon Rose, you are out of control!!!!!! You need to get a life and stop obsessing over Gilyard. How is it anyone's RESPONSIBILITY to try to keep him out of the pulpit if the Holy Spirit hasn't led them to do so. YOU are not the Holy Spirit!!!!! I repeat....YOU are not the Holy Spirit!!!!!

Why don't you move to Florida and make it your personal mission to keep him out of the pulpit since you feel so strongly about it?

fjjaxxAnon May 28 12:34 AM you spoke for a lot of people. What Gilyard has done is no less than evil. Many ARE wounded, hurt and have perspective issues. Literally and spiritually. As you say, intellectually (and biblically) we know better but emotionally there is still turmoil. As for me, I'm about half way there. May God bless you Anon to build back an even stronger walk with Him. Pastor Rod thank you!!! for that post.

To anon May 28,12:34 am:Please keep your eyes on Jesus. DG had/has wonderful talents and could have been used greatly to spread the Gospel. He chose greed and deception and many other things instead, this is man's choice - but it takes nothing away from the WORD itself. We tend to get our eyes on man and ourselves and this is just a reminder as to where our focus needs to be. God is still the same God you grew your faith in, He is the same yesterday, today and forever more - do not let your heart be troubled or be discouraged in your faith, let God strengthen it throught this circumstance.

Pasto Rod - You are so right on all points. Thank you for your wisdom and insight,we are blessed to have you join us here.

Sharon Rose: You know how the attacks come and you know all to well how painful it can be. Please do not allow it to discourage you here. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement, you have become a friend and I am blessed.

I will not respond to the attacks as it is not necessary. The Bible does not teach me to defend myself, but to defend the Word and speak the truth in love.The Lord knows all that has happened, every detail (though you try to minimize it to "a phone call") the Lord knows who this man is and what he is capable of. He will deal with Him whatever way He sees fit. He is more than capable of doing this without any of us.

God bless all of you who feel the need to pray for this abuse to end and for the truth to be shown. I pray this man will have no more victims.

Regarding the name change - my husband and I researched him ourselves several years ago (I heard rumor of a victim then and was wanting to go confront him face to face along with the leaders - but I didn't get a peace about it) anyway, we found a lot of discrepancy following his name. There was a name change shown then.He is an intelligent man, the Bible calls it "crafty".

Tiffany - Thank you for your kind words. I think you know my heart and my concerns for the victims in this matter. I do not take attacks personally.

I understand where people are coming from. It's not easy to deal with this issue, as Anon 12:34 so honestly shared. I personally know of many who have completely dropped out of church because dealing with this kind of issue was just too much. And that grieves me. This is not what the Lord desires. It's very sad, indeed, and my prayers are with you.

To my "attacker" - Funny you mentioned the Holy Spirit. We certainly agree that I am not the Holy Spirit, nor have I ever professed to be. I am a mere human, a child of God, one who is saved and has served Him for many years. Perhaps the Holy Spirit brought His name to your mind as you read my comment so He could get your attention. I simply said what the Bible says--not what I said. Jesus and the Apostle Paul are the ones telling us all to help the helpless, and get errant pastors out of positions of authority in the church. Don't you think the Holy Spirit is in agreement with Jesus and the Apostle Paul? I do. May the Lord bless you with the truth, and with the courage to do what He asks of you.

Hi Sharon it's good to see you blog-in.To Anon May 28 11:13am it's the responsibility of every true believer to oppose evil and especially that which bring ill-repute to the Name of Christ and His Church.You asked "How is it anyones responsibilty to try to keep him out of the pulpit if the Holy Spirit hasn't led them to do so"? Sharon has given you your answer in her May 28 10:13 post[1Tim.5:19-21].First the Bible is the Holy Spirit Inspired Word of God once and for all given to the saints[2Tim 3:16-17;Jude 3].Secondly the Holy Spirit is not the author of confusion(Darrell has caused all of it).Thirdly the Bible has complete AUTHORITY over all of mankind,it is our Book of instructions on living a Christ centered,Christ honoring life.Fourthly Jesus stated in Matt.4:4 "It is written,Man shall not live by bread alone,but by EVERY WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of God".Therefore if Sharon correctly qoutes what the scriptures affirm;Then how is she not acting by the unction of the Holy Spirit seeing that HE is the Author of the Mind of God revealed to mankind?[1Cor 2:10-16]. Anon May 28 11:13 What are we to do with habitual sin(sinners)in the Church? Are we to overlook it and hope that it will go away ? Are are we to confront it and remove it from God's house? Do TRUE believers have the authority to deal with persistent sinners in their midst? The answer is thru out the Bible,but let's look at one in the New Testament that so vividly make Sharon's point.In 1 Cor.5:1-13 is the story relayed by the Apostle Paul.It's about a young man in the Corinthian Church who was living in a habitual sinful relationship with his fathers wife.Paul states in vv 3-7,9,11-13; "For I(Paul) truly,as absent in body,but present in spirit,have JUDGED already,as though I were there,concerning him that has so done this deed,(v4)In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ,when you are assembled together,and my spirit,with the POWER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST,(v5)To deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh,that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.(v6)Your glorying is not good.Do you not know that a litte leaven(sin)leavens the whole loaf(Church)? (v7)Purge(remove)out therefore the old leaven,that you may be a new loaf,as you are unleaven(undefiled). For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:(v9) I wrote to you in an epistle NOT TO KEEP COMPANY with FORNICATORS(sexually immoral):(v11) But now I have written to you not to keep company,if ANY PERSON THAT IS CALLED A BROTHER(Christian) be a FORNICATOR,or COVETOUS,or an idolater,or a railer,or a drunkard,or and extortioner; with such a person do not eat.(v12) For what have I to do to judge those also that are without(unbelievers)? Do not you to judge those that are within(the Church;believers).(v13b)Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person".Anon MAY 28 11:13 The Holy Spirit has spoken thru His Word and Sharon and Tiffany and all who love the Lord have a mandate to confront all evil in the CHURCH all of it!!!!!!

The Word of the Lord has spoken through Pastor Rod. It is sharper than a two-edged sword. It will not return unto us void.

There are many watching what is happening in the DG case, waiting to see if there will be justice for so many injustices. The Lord is also watching, and I believe He is working in the lives of His true sons and daughters; working with the wheat in the church despite the weeds (Matt. 13:24-30). The almighty God needs no judge or jury; He witnessed all that happened with DG, and He holds the truth as a standard. The Holy Spirit will comfort those who need comfort. He will convict those who need conviction. God is working. May He be praised.

How is this blog helping to keep Gilyard out of the pulpit? What exaclty are any of you specifically doing to keep him out of the pulpit? This question is for Sharon Rose, Tiffany Croft and Rod Hendrix.

This blog I believe is to make as many people aware to and warn people of the danger of Darrell Gilyard and men like him.I personally blog to make people aware of what the Word of God has to says about errant pastor's and how the Church should deal with.It's too alert people to the prophecies of Scripture that reveal that many charlatans would enter the ministry for personal gain.This blog keeps every one abreast of just where and how the case is proceeding.Finally this blog is a place where those who have been abused by clergy to network and find comfort among other victims and friends.

Well said, Pastor Rod. Thanks for again directing the focus back to the issue at hand: clergy sexual abuse. You have supported the victims by believing them because of what you experienced at Shiloh, and speaking the truth to those who seek to minimize or even dismiss the seriousness of what DG has allegedly done. You are a witness as to what DG is capable of.

Tiffany's blog, this blogsite, was never intended to keep DG out of the pulpit. Tiffany put up this blog in response to DG's arrest in January for allegedly sending leud text messages to a teenager at Shiloh Baptist Church. She was reaching out to other possible victims of DG. I heard about the case involving DG through StopBaptistPredators which spoke of Tiffany speaking out because she believed there were many alleged women victims from DG's past whose cases were handled inappropriately by church leaders, and that led to him hurting even more victims until he was finally arrested. It was the attention given to "women" victims that caught my eye. Tiffany has since become a dear friend, as she and I both share what we have in common in regard to clergy sexual abuse.

I believe there are many adult women victims of clergy sexual abuse in churches and other religious institutions. It is not just children who are being victimized, as so much of the media reports have led us to believe. I don't blame the media for this, and am thankful that they are at least reporting the abuse of children in our churches. I have a website dedicated to helping adult survivors of clergy sexual abuse, sharonsrose.org. Because of that, I contacted Tiffany to lend my support, not only to her, but to any of DG's victims, and even those who are secondary victims, like congregation members who may become disillusioned by what has taken place. Betrayal by a member of the clergy can strike at the core of one's soul. Providing understanding of what has happened can help sort through the confusion caused by clergy abuse.

As events have unfolded since January, DG left Shiloh Baptist, and was invited by the pastor of First Timothy Baptist Church to preach. This is in spite of the fact that he is out on bail awaiting his trial. The outrage of many of the victims, and good Christians and citizens of Jax is that he has not been declared innocent (or guilty) by the courts in the pending court case against him. If DG is, in fact, guilty of the charges against him, then it seems senseless to put him in a place where he could find other victims and cause harm to yet even more innocent lives.

The Bible, as has been pointed out numerous times in this blog, clearly states that an errant pastor ought to be removed from any position of leadership or authority. And yet, the pastor of First Timothy, and DG himself, mock God by allowing DG to preach to others. Hence, the outrage.

My challenge has been to the good people of Jax who can peacefully do something about DG preaching at First Timothy Baptist Church. Writing letters to the editor of the local newspaper, or even perhaps staging a small protest across the street from First Timothy to show the community that the Christian community is saying the pastor of First Timothy is in error for allowing DG to preach in his church without him first being cleared of the charges against him. Christa Brown of StopBaptistPredators has even offered to post pictures of any such protest on her blogsite to bring attention to this matter.

It is not for me to step in and do the work that the good people of Jax need to do. This is your city and your religious community. Perhaps my role is to encourage those whom the Lord is calling to be empowered to do something about what is happening. I feel called to speak out, even though I am 3,000 miles away. I am not called to leave my life here to do your work. I have my own work to do. There are those in Jax who can and should find the strength and courage to do what is right, whatever that is, and however the Lord leads. Please know that I am praying for all of you, along with many others across the country. I know first hand how serious a matter clergy sexual abuse is to all involved, especially the victims.

I too was a member of Shiloh. I was new to the area, and was looking for a church. After seeing and hearing Pastor G. on TV, I decided to visit the church and eventually joined. I felt his messages were powerful, but I remember telling some of my friends that I felt something was missing. He didn't seem to preach about sin and repentence very much. One of the friends that I expressed this to recently told me that at the time, she didn't understand what I was talking about, but now since she is away from Shiloh and into a church that teaches about sin and repentence, she totally understands. Since she left Shiloh, her walk with Jesus has grown. We both did some re-evaluating of our christian walk. I thought, if this man could stand up there in the pulpit and deliver such powerful messages and possibly be totally lost.....well, let's just say that drove me right back into reading the Word for myself! I find that if I hear someone preaching, I search the Word for myself, instead of sitting in the pew and only being "fed" by a pastor. I used to be in the Word, and then I got into the "feed me", "feed me" mode - meaning I wanted to go to church to be fed, but not read the Word myself. Well, since all of this happened, I am out of the "feed me" mode and searching the Word again for myself! So, as devestating as all of this has been for me, it has also helped to deepen my walk. So, keep your focus in the Word. Many of us have shed tears over this, and I myself have even asked God, why? But, I now know that God grieves over these things, and we as Christians have got to stand up against this sin. It is a very sad thing to know that the people at St. Timothy are putting up with him preaching in their midst.

Thanks Pastor Rod for your wisdom, and thank you Tiffany for this blog.

Ms. J: I do not know what happened as I was not there, my other sources were not there either. I have attempted to get an answer as to what took place or if it even took place. I have been unsuccesful in getting an answer from the S.A. - either she is to busy or nothing happened. Much of what is happening now is just procedure and nothing of real importance in the bearing of the actual case anyway - which is why I have not been there.I tried to get a better response before answering, this is the best I can give you, sorry.

Gilyard called a meeting at First Timothy to discuss order of service and other issues. Newbill did not know but got wind of it and came in on the tail end of the meeting. He confronted Gilyard and then asked him to leave.

If this is true I would not be surprised. I do not see him as being the under sheppard. He has to be top dog in everything he does.

I wouldn't be surprised either! The way they do things at First Timothy are vastly different from how we do things at Shiloh. Gilyard will have to be itching in his seat and can't wait to make his imprint on things. If this is true, Newbill better watch out!! He is about to make his move, especially once he starts getting the people in position of power and decision making on his side.

I wouldn't be surprised either! The way they do things at First Timothy are vastly different from how we do things at Shiloh. Gilyard will have to be itching in his seat and can't wait to make his imprint on things. If this is true, Newbill better watch out!! He is about to make his move, especially once he starts getting the people in position of power and decision making on his side.

Many of us have said that his first priority will be to take over that church. He is not able to sit as "second fiddle" and Newbill should have seen that one coming. He made the choice to bring him in, the people love him and he will turn them against Newbill - offer them great things and sway them. Watch out people, know who you are following.

It’s a real shame how the church leadership protected him,we look to our leaders in the the church to stand up for what’s right.I am deeply hurt and sad about the church and the formal pastor.We have to remember what the LORD says:Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your on understanding:In all your ways acknowledge him And HE shall dicect our paths.Shiloh hang in there,God is still in control.

Scripture

Psalm 17:8-13 says, "Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me. They close up their callous hearts, and their mouths speak with arrogance. (vs.13) Rise up oh Lord, confront them, bring them down; rescue me from the wicked with your sword."